Common hair colour mistake could be ‘ageing you by decades’

It’s very common for hair to grow thinner as you age. However, there is one common hair mistake that a lot of people with thinning hair make that could be making it look worse.

When you notice your hair is thinning it’s tempting to try and hide behind dark colours or high contrast. Even though you may think you’re hiding, you could be making the problem 10 times worse. Hair loss expert Melik Yağmur at hair transplant clinic Now Hair Time says that darker colours will make hair parts look wider and scalps more visible. People will frequently opt for these darker shades in the hopes of creating an illusion of depth to their hair – but in reality, it can have the opposite effect. 

He said: “A strong contrast between hair and scalp can make fine areas look even sparser, especially around the parting, aging you by decades.

“Opting for slightly lighter or warmer tones softens that contrast and creates the illusion of fuller, healthier hair.

“Multi-tonal colour, lowlights and gentle highlights can make an enormous difference without dramatically changing your overall look.”

If you have found yourself with thinning hair, one of the best things you can do is ask your hairdresser to lighten your natural hair colour by a half or single shade. This will help to soften harsh lines at the scalp. 

Warm, blended tones will reflect light, creating the impression of fuller hair. Overall, Melik said it’s better to use a multi-dimensional colour rather than a flat colour.

Dense, opaque dye jobs should be avoided as they can make your hair look flat and stringy – and box dye is especially bad for this. 

Instead of going for one shade, ask your hairdresser to place highlights strategically around your face. This will work to draw attention to your face and away from any more sparse areas of hair towards the top of your head.